The trip is Obama's latest move in a public campaign designed to pressure congressional Republicans to back his plan to head off the so-called fiscal cliff, a series of tax hikes and budget cuts that take effect next year if the White House and Congress are unable to reach a debt reduction deal.

The cliff includes the expiration of George W. Bush-era tax cuts, which would lead to tax increases for all Americans.

Obama wants to extend the Obama tax cuts for the middle class, but let them lapse for family incomes over $250,000 a year.

Republicans oppose higher tax rates for any American, and have proposed raising more revenue by eliminating tax loopholes and ending certain deductions.

GOP leaders also want Obama to be more specific about budget cuts, particularly on the fast-growing entitlement programs Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Obama has sought to build voter support with a series of political events, including meetings with business people, labor leaders, and middle-class Americans, as well as speeches like the one on Monday.